In the absence of manager Brett Gaunt and key striker Graham Shaw, a brace from James Willmouth and goals from Dan Whincup and Callum Armstrong took them to a third straight win at the Avenue.

“We were pleased to get the win with the players we have out,” said club secretary Alan Chadwick.

“Stanningley aren’t the side they used to be but they still give you as good game.

“Callum Armstrong is relatively new with us, I’ve never seen someone with such quick feet. I think we’ll be aiming for a top four finish realistically as there are some very good teams in the league.”

James Halliday and Callum Morton scored for Stanningley, who are still winless.

St Nicholas were most unfortunate to come away with nothing from their chaotic game against Farsley Celtic Juniors, which the champions won 4-3.

The newly-promoted hosts went 2-1 up on half an hour through Ryan Brough’s double, but it was Farsley who went into the break in the lead with quick strikes from Craig Farrand and Danny Lyons, who profited from a mishit clearance in the box.

Gary Driscoll pounced on a loose ball and levelled the game just after the break only for Lyons to atone for his earlier penalty miss with the clincher on 76 minutes.

A deluge of pressure paid off as Trinity Old Boys eked out a 2-1 win against bottom side Wigton Moor at Barwick Road.

Leroy Watson put the strugglers in front from the spot in the 43rd minute but Adam Kenyon equalised with 20 minutes to go, setting the stage for substitute Steven Travers who fired home a winner at the death.

Farnley Sports and Beeston Juniors had to settle for a point in a 2-2 draw, illuminated by some fine goalkeeping from Farnley’s Dave Roberts and a long-ranger from Beeston’s Matty Wood.

In the second tier’s other encounter, Leeds Medics Reserves strolled to a 3-1 win at Weetwood thanks to Jack Helliwell and Kieran Wardman (2) who were too much for Mount St Mary’s.

After their two successive promotion campaigns have taken them to Division One, Farsley Celtic Juniors Reserves suffered a rare setback in the shape of a 4-0 humbling from Dewsbury Rangers at Wakefield Road.

Jack Smith set the tone with the opener, before the hosts cashed in through Tom Swailes and a Rob Smith double, netted on 60 and 80 minutes.

A reduced card in the third tier opened the door for Leeds Independent to take top spot with a convincing 7-0 defeat of Rothwell at Gledhow.

Williams got going in the 13th minute and doubled up in the 38th after some good work from Nico McDonald. Although Garforth got the next to make it 2-1, McDonald had two of his own in a second-half procession.

In the Heavy Woollen Wheatley Cup, Division One side Old Batelians were knocked out by Drighlington of the Championship in a 2-1 reverse, Joe Hirst’s goal sealing the tie in the 85th minute.

Ben Keedy’s six goals took Gildersome Spurs Old Boys to an eye-catching 8-0 cup win against Ossett Common Rovers, alongside Aidan McCormack and Conor Firth’s goals.

Of the contenders in Division Two, Leeds City Old Boys continued their fine start to beat Ealandians Reserves 3-0 and Collegians came through a tough test against Woodkirk Valley with a 5-4 victory.

In Division Three, Leeds Medics and Dentists IV outmuscled City Old Boys 2-1 with goals from Chris Sheppard and Sam Wild.